Need help repairing accident damaged differential housing

[G_Edmonds]

I didn't see in this discussion where the car is located so I can't recommend a specific shop, but 4WD places do rearends all the time, and 8.8's are popular swaps into jeeps and some other rigs. The shouldn't have any trouble helping you out.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by G_Edmonds

I didn't see in this discussion where the car is located so I can't recommend a specific shop.

The car is currently located in Rosenberg, TX, which is about 25 miles southwest of Houston on US59. The differential is a Ford 9" and since I already have a recently rebuilt 3.73 geared Ford Tractionloc pumpkin, I am not interested in switching to the 8.8". Hope this helps!

BTW, all... my daughter lives in Austin, TX and so a shop located near the Austin-D/FW corridor would certainly be acceptable. IIRC Keith Craft had a shop north of D/FW, but I think I remember hearing he is now located elsewhere.

The Moser information is encouraging... their prices seem reasonable, too. I will contact them to inquire about sending my housing to them after the pumpkin is removed to have them match the dimensions, remove all the existing brackets and attach them to the new housing, and install new axle(s) as needed.

I have emailed Radical Roadsters in the past about a different issue and they did not respond. Since they are so close to the current location of the car, they would be my first choice if they are interested...but since they did not respond when I tried to contact them previously I just figured they were not interested, too busy, or otherwise engaged. I will try again...but I need somebody on whom I can rely and not answering an inquiry does not foster much confidence.

I welcome all suggestions...thanks to all so far and please let me know if you have additional suggestions!

Dugly

[wkooiman]

Keith Craft's shop in Richardson wasn't really his. It was a partnership. Call it whatever you want.

The partnership/naming is gone, but the shop was there 5 years ago. They did excellent work. I don't know if they are still around anymore. I used to live in Houston, and I worked/commuted to Richardson.

At any rate, Houston to Dallas/Richardson is a long drive. If you were going that far, you should go all the way to Kansas.

I know Houston fairly well, and I still know several people there. But if my car were hurt like yours, I'd still tow it home to have it fixed.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by wkooiman

I know Houston fairly well, and I still know several people there. But if my car were hurt like yours, I'd still tow it home to have it fixed.

My issue with bringing it to KS is that I reside in a very remote area...the nearest WalMart is 90 miles away...McDonalds is closer, only 35 miles. The nearest cities in which I would expect there to be a shop competent to complete this work are all in excess of 200 miles away...Amarillo is 230 miles south, Wichita is about at least 300 miles to the east, and Denver is about 330 miles to the west. We are use to driving long distances out here just to get basic necessities...so we either do without or make sure we stock up. It is a very different lifestyle from the urban convenience I "endured" for 35 years near Houston.

I am leaning toward shipping the entire housing assembly to Moser and letting them assemble a replacement using their products. They do have a stellar reputation, so there would be no need to "supervise", so to speak. If I do that there is no reason to leave the car in TX...but if there is an option in the Houston area it would be a distinct possibility simply because I own a home there and I could keep an eye on the progress.

Either way...it is going to be a long row to hoe!!!

Thanks to all who have offered helpful suggestions...please continue to make recommendations for competent shops in the Houston area as well as in the Austin to DFW corridor.

Dugly

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

My issue with bringing it to KS is that I reside in a very remote area...the nearest WalMart is 90 miles away...McDonalds is closer, only 35 miles.

Well, if given the choice of having my car fixed at WalMart or McDonalds, I would choose McDonalds. I particularly like the sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle. In fact, it's one of my favorites.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well, if given the choice of having my car fixed at WalMart or McDonalds, I would choose McDonalds. I particularly like the sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle. In fact, it's one of my favorites.

LOL, Patrick!

I kinda like their taquitos....

...but they wanted too much to fix the housing, so I still need recommendations for shops in the Houston area.

Most people have a WalMart within 9 blocks of their houses, they find it difficult to believe that our nearest one is 90+ miles away, so I use those two examples to help them understand how far things can be here on the great High Plains. We ARE very remote out here.

Cheers, and thanks for the chuckle!

Dugly